The games of February 2012

Vita launch and other big names means a short month of madness

Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games

Platform: Nintendo 3DSEU: February 10

The Wii version of Mario & Sonic's third Olympics-inspired minigame collection shipped back in November, and we weren't particularly blown away by yet another in a very long procession of waggle-based event roundups. But maybe things will be different on Nintendo 3DS, where Sega's first series entry for the handheld promises some 55 total events, including a swimming game where you'll blow into the microphone, and a weightlifting one wherein you'll apparently yell at the screen. It's unclear whether such things will make for a better game, but they'll sure as hell make you look like a lunatic in public. Be warned!

Tekken 3D Prime Edition

Platform: Nintendo 3DSEU: February 29

Namco Bandai's long-running 3D fighter seems to be just about everywhere of late, what with the recent HD remake of Tekken Tag Tournament, next month's Street Fighter X Tekken, and the forthcoming Tag Tournament 2. Even 3DS owners will have a crack at the series this month with Tekken 3D Prime Edition, which includes all 40-plus fighters from Tekken 6 in an entry that promises to run at a steady 60 frames per second even with the 3D effect on. Additionally, the game includes numerous tag missions, along with the CG movie Tekken: Blood Vengeance on the same cart.

BlazBlue: Continuum Shift Extend

Platform: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, VitaEU: February 22

We showed some serious love for BlazBlue: Continuum Shift back in 2010, and now ultra-fans (or the uninitiated) can dive into even more content with this extended edition, which packs in all previous DLC and unlockables, plus various tweaks and a brand new character. Of special note is the PlayStation Vita release, which may mark the first time a handheld can truly do justice to this fabulously animated fighting favorite. We've actually played the Japanese import version on Vita and found the visuals "astounding," ultimately calling the game perhaps "the best portable, one-on-one fighting game of all time." Bold words for a bold game – believe us.

Jagged Alliance: Back in Action

Platform: PCEU: February 10

The first two Jagged Alliance games for PC are considered true tactical role-playing classics, but the series has been mired in one deep round of development hell after another over the past several years. Jagged Alliance: Back in Action is a fitting title, but it's not a proper sequel; in fact, it's a modern-day remake of 1999's Jagged Alliance 2, packing a 70-hour campaign and a more accessible, newcomer-friendly approach. Additionally, players will be able to optionally swap from the traditional turn-based approach to a real-time system, which is sure to be wholly ignored by hardcore fans of the past entries. Hey, different strokes for different folks.

Hakuoki: Demon of the Fleeting Blossom

Platform: PSPEU: N/A

With the wide PSP user base firmly entrenched and mainstream interest moving on to other platforms, now's the time for publishers to strike with curious niche fare – and Aksys is leading the charge with Hakuoki: Demon of the Fleeting Blossom, perhaps the first otome game released on a North American console or handheld. True to the genre, Hakuoki is targeted towards women and stars a female hero in a fantasy world trying to form relationships with several potential suitors. It's a big risk, especially with a Mature rating in tow, so cheers to Aksys for taking the plunge on this visual novel. A $40 limited edition with an art book and soundtrack CD is also incoming.

FIFA Soccer

Platform: PlayStation VitaEU: February 22

Launch iterations of annual sports series aren't often worth crowing about, but FIFA Soccer for PlayStation Vita is based on the same celebrated engine seen in FIFA 12, and seems to pack in several of the same features, including a lengthy career mode and online head-to-head play. Moreover, the Vita release features optional touch controls on both the back and front of the system, putting the touchscreen and rear panel to use for actions like shooting and passing. And on top of all that, FIFA looks truly tremendous on Vita – a gargantuan leap above all previous handheld takes on the storied franchise. If you want to learn more, be sure to check out our recent three-part series on the game.

Virtua Tennis 4: World Tour

Platform: PlayStation VitaEU: February 22

Virtua Tennis 4 shipped on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 last year, and while it may seem safe to assume that this Vita version is a simple port, it actually offers a few new features specific to the handheld. World Tour optionally uses the touchscreen for moving your player around the court from a third-person perspective, while VR Mode puts you in a first-person perspective wherein the Vita’s physical movements alter your in-game eyesight. Additionally, the game includes a single-system top-down two-player mode – where each player uses half of the Vita screen – as well as various VR Apps, which are mini-games that use the Vita's myriad control options.

F1 2011

Platform: PlayStation VitaEU: February 22

We've been really impressed with the recent console iterations of the F1 franchise, but the Nintendo 3DS version of F1 2011 really fell short. Luckily, it doesn't seem to be a matter of the series simply not working on all handheld devices, as our recent hands-on of the upcoming Vita release calmed our fears. F1 2011 for Vita is much closer to the console versions than its 3DS brethren, with impressive presentation, a full season mode, and quicker-hit events perfect for portable action. Add in online play and a load of licensed stars and teams, and F1 2011 may work the same magic on Vita racing junkies that it did on consoles.

The Sims 3: Hidden Springs

Platform: PCEU: N/A

Nearly three years after its release, The Sims 3 keeps pumping out expansion packs at a steady clip – and the latest, Hidden Springs, launches this month for $20. The Sims 3: Hidden Springs serves up an island retreat for your Sims to explore, with fresh stories to experience, locations to see and items to collect. And in an odd twist, the pack hints at a hidden Fountain of Youth, wherein your Sim can become young forever. If Hidden Springs isn't enough to revive your Sims 3 addiction, next month's Katy Perry-fronted The Sims 3: Showtime might do the trick.

Asphalt: Injection

Platform: PlayStation VitaEU: February 22

In a launch lineup with a few notable racing options – including Wipeout 2048, Ridge Racer, and F1 2011 – it's tough to get too worked up about Asphalt: Injection, thanks in large part to how half-hearted the meager Asphalt 3D was on Nintendo 3DS last year. But while it shares the same mobile-phone origins as the rest of the series, Asphalt: Injection at least looks like it's putting the Vita hardware to good use, with six varying control schemes (including dual-stick, touch, and gyroscope-based options) and online play. We'll have to see if that's enough to top some of the surefire genre competition later this month.